Protests in Azerbaijan after hijab ban in schools
Protests against new school uniform rules that ban the hijab are taking place in Baku and other cities in Azerbaijan.
Consensus
- New rules were introduced in Azerbaijan's state schools regarding school uniforms, prohibiting elements of clothing that violate the principle of secular education.
- Schools began refusing entry to students and teachers wearing hijabs, leading to protests.
- The government did not explicitly mention 'hijab' in the official documents.
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported 37 people arrested during protests.
- Protests occurred in Baku and other cities, with students, parents, and teachers participating.
- Social media platforms Instagram and TikTok experienced disruptions in access.
- Some schools conducted checks starting from October 9 or 12, 2026.
- The government claimed the measures were aimed at maintaining public order and ensuring the normal functioning of schools.
Points of divergence
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed 37 arrests, but unofficial sources reported over 200 detained, which the government did not confirm. — fontanka
- More than 200 people were detained at the '28 May' metro station in Baku on October 12, though this was not independently verified. — tg_echoonline_news
- In one school, students were asked to shave their beards, despite no mention of this in the official decree. — meduza
- Video footage showed students attempting to break windows in a school. — meduza
- Protesters attempted to set fire to a school in Yasamal district, but the fire was prevented. — tg_currenttime
- Teachers were reported to have removed hijabs from children's heads. — tg_mash
- Authorities restricted mobile internet and social media access during protests. — tg_mash
- The Cabinet of Ministers adopted the rules in September 2026, which is incorrect as the event occurred in 2024. — tg_mash
Coverage (13 sources)
- Protests in Azerbaijan over ban on hijab in schools. Interior Ministry reports dozens injured. — Настоящее Время
- Hijab is not an obstacle to education — Новая газета Европа
- Schoolchildren in Azerbaijan protest against hijab ban — historian Arif Yunusov on what it could end with — SOTAvision
- Protests in Azerbaijan after authorities ban hijabs in schools. More than 30 people detained... — BBC News Русская служба
- Hijab outside school. Why protests and arrests began in Azerbaijan — Фонтанка
- In Azerbaijan, ban on wearing hijabs in schools has brought people to the streets. Students demand to be allowed into classrooms. In... — BBC News Русская служба
- Protests begin in Azerbaijan over de facto ban on wearing hijab in school. 37 people detained — ЭХО / Новости
- Protests in Azerbaijan against hijab ban in schools. Dozens detained. Access to Instagram and TikTok problems arise amid protests (though authorities did not report on blocks) — Meduza
- Protests against new school uniform rules in Baku and other cities of Azerbaijan, which ban wearing hijab... — Радио Свобода
- Protests against hijab ban in schools in Azerbaijan. 37 people detained — Настоящее Время
- In Azerbaijan, 37 people detained at protests over school hijab ban — Коммерсантъ
- Protests begin in Baku over hijab ban in schools. Protesters set fires, 37 arrested — Meduza
- Large-scale protests are taking place in Baku over the ban on wearing hijabs in school. — Mash